University of Minnesota leads effort to track bird flu’s threat to Minnesota wildlife

With $1.267 million in funding approved by Governor Tim Walz on Jan. 3, researchers from the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine will lead a collaborative effort to address highly pathogenic avian influenza and its emerging threat to Minnesota wildlife.

For two years, highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as “bird flu” or HPAI, has made headlines for its devastating impact on free-ranging birds, free-ranging mammals and the poultry industry. More information is emerging about its spread to cows and humans, yet little is known about its impact on wild animals. 

Through the Emerging Issues Account, the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) recommended expedited funds for more research into HPAI’s impact on Minnesota wildlife. The account supports efforts to address unexpected and urgent needs, especially those where a delay could threaten natural resources or human health. This timing is critical to prepare for a potential resurgence of HPAI this spring. 

“The College of Veterinary Medicine is uniquely equipped to advance Minnesota's health and well-being through cutting-edge research, workforce development, and exceptional diagnostic and clinical services,” said Laura Molgaard, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. “Our interdisciplinary approach is a key asset in addressing the connections between human and animal health and finding solutions to this critical issue for Minnesota.”

College of Veterinary Medicine professors Arno Wuenschmann and Declan Schroeder aim at establishing a Minnesota wildlife virus surveillance program, collaborating with state, federal and tribal biologists; wildlife rehabilitation centers; zoos; the Humane Society’s wildlife unit and others. 

The team will: 

• Establish a wildlife health network of rehabilitators and tribal biologists that will be trained to safely collect and submit samples to the University of Minnesota’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
• Collect and test 9,000 samples from free-ranging birds and mammals across the state for HPAI virus. 
• Run a newly established assay, developed in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Schroeder Lab, that quickly confirms the presence of live HPAI virus in samples. Results will be reported to submitters in real time.

“The current HPAI outbreak is a ticking time bomb for animal and human health — it is two years in and the virus continues to spread in unforeseen patterns beyond birds to wild and domestic mammals, including humans.” said Wuenschmann.

Having greater understanding of the virus and which species its impacting will help experts develop better mitigation strategies and warnings for the public, and agricultural and health sectors. As part of the program, anonymized results will be reported in weekly updates on a publicly accessible University of Minnesota web page.

The team hopes this program can serve as a new resource for future virus outbreaks in Minnesota involving free-ranging animals. 

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About the College of Veterinary Medicine
The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine is a global leader in advancing education, health, and research at the interface of animals, people, and the environment. The college is also home to the Veterinary Medical Center, the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and The Raptor Center. Learn more at vetmed.umn.edu.

About the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund 
The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund is a permanent dedicated fund in the Minnesota state treasury that was established by 77% voter approval of a constitutional amendment in 1988. The amendment directs 40% of the net proceeds of the Minnesota State Lottery into the Trust Fund through the year 2050. Since 1991, approximately $1.1 billion from the ENRTF has been spent on over 1,700 projects that protect and enhance Minnesota’s environment and natural resources in every county of the state.

About the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources 
The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources is made up of 5 state senators, 5 state representatives, and 7 citizen members. The function of the LCCMR is to make funding recommendations to the Minnesota State Legislature for special environment and natural resource projects, primarily from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. The LCCMR developed from a program initiated in 1963. Since then, approximately $1.5 billion has been appropriated to over 2,600 projects recommended to protect and enhance Minnesota’s environment and natural resources.